By: Las Vegas Now Staff
Long before the Cirque de Soleil shows, or magicians like Lance Burton were headliners, Latino entertainers were big names on the Strip. Now, a new exhibit set to open Thursday will feature their talent and what they brought to Las Vegas.
The pictures hanging on the walls say a lot about Latino entertainers who made their mark in Las Vegas. Now the Hispanic Museum of Nevada wants all of Las Vegas to know who they are, and what they brought to the entertainment capital of the world.
If you could hear what was happening in the pictures, the sound of Latin music would resonate.
Lynette Sawyer is the executive director of the Hispanic Museum of Nevada and a proud Latina. “This exhibit is a time line from the past, to the present, and so many more that will be coming, I'm sure,” she said.
She is thrilled to be partnered with the Las Vegas News Bureau to bring this exhibit to the valley. “We have to remember all of these performers were part of the fabric of Las Vegas, starting many years ago in the 40's, 50's, and 60's.”
Pictures of greats likes Carlos Santana, Charro, Gloria Estafan and Rita Moreno all on stage here in Las Vegas make the exhibit. “We had Rita Moreno, the recipient of three awards, the Golden Globe, the Oscar, and the Tony. She's done it all,” said Sawyer.
Brian Paco Alvarez is the curator for exhibit, appropriately titled, “Viva Las Vegas.”
“We know that Elvis Presley coined the term, and he himself was highly influenced by Latin music,” said Alvarez.
Music and entertainers who helped make Las Vegas what it is today. “That's what this exhibit is about. Celebrating Las Vegas as the entertainment capital of the world and to educate the public about the enormous and key roles that the Latinos have in this community,” said Alvarez.
The exhibit opens Thursday, and will be at the lobby of the Embarq building at 330 South Valley View Boulevard through March 22. For more information, click here.
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